Downtown Houston Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Explore the buildings, bayous and bold stories of downtown Houston on a self-guided smartphone audio tour. Walk a 2.5-mile route at your own pace while GPS-triggered narration introduces the Kellum-Noble House, Sam Houston Park, City Hall, the Esperson buildings, Christ Church Cathedral, Buffalo Bayou, Market Square, the theatre district and Houston’s early commercial landmarks. A live GPS map shows your location and directs you between stops. Download the tour before arriving, then listen without mobile data. Pause at parks or attractions and resume whenever you are ready. This is an exterior, self-guided walking experience with no in-person guide. Attraction admission and interior access are not included, and buildings do not need to be open to complete the route. Allow approximately 2–3 hours. The tour begins at the Kellum-Noble House and ends at the former Houston Cotton Exchange.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   Pass by

   Begin at Houston’s oldest surviving building and discover the remarkable lives preserved within its brick walls.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   Pass by

   Meet the organization that rescued Houston’s historic homes and keeps the city’s early stories alive.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   Pass by

   Step back to frontier Texas at a humble cabin built before Houston was founded.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   Pass by

   Admire an elegant Greek Revival home that travelled across Houston to reach its place in the park.

5. 5

   Sam Houston Park

   Pass by

   Stroll through Houston’s first public park, where historic homes meet the modern downtown skyline.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   See Houston’s civic heart and the striking Art Deco details of City Hall.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   Admire the grand former central library, celebrated for its Spanish Renaissance architecture and public art.

8. 8

   Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

   Pass by

   See the performing-arts venue whose dramatic halls frame Houston’s downtown theatre district.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   Pass by

   Discover the unusual skyscraper that supports the city’s public works behind its historic façade.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    Pass by

    Look up at Mellie Esperson’s elegant tower and its temple-inspired crown above Travis Street.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    Pass by

    Compare Houston’s distinctive paired Esperson towers and the story behind their timeless design.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    Pass by

    See how the former Texas Company headquarters reflects Houston’s rise as an energy capital.

13. 13

    Stop 13

    Pass by

    Admire the stately former federal building that once housed Houston’s customs and postal services.

14. 14

    Christ Church Cathedral

    Pass by

    Visit the exterior of Houston’s oldest congregation and its beautiful downtown cathedral.

15. 15

    Stop 15

    Pass by

    Discover how Houston’s landmark Rice Hotel evolved from the site of the Republic of Texas capitol.

16. 16

    Stop 16

    Pass by

    Take in Jones Hall, the award-winning home of the Houston Symphony.

17. 17

    Alley Theatre

    Pass by

    See the bold concrete home of Houston’s resident theatre company and hear its dramatic story.

18. 18

    Wortham Center

    Pass by

    Admire the Wortham Center, home to Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera.

19. 19

    Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve

    Pass by

    Learn about the interactive aquarium and animal preserve located beyond the downtown walking route.

20. 20

    Stop 20

    Pass by

    Walk beside Buffalo Bayou, the waterway that helped launch Houston as a trading city.

21. 21

    Downtown Historic District Market Square

    Pass by

    Relax in Houston’s original civic square, now a lively park filled with history and public art.

22. 22

    Stop 22

    Pass by

    Discover how a historic downtown movie palace became the stylish Majestic Metro event venue.

23. 23

    Stop 23

    Pass by

    Admire the restored 1910 courthouse and its grand Beaux-Arts details.

24. 24

    Stop 24

    Pass by

    Stand at Houston’s birthplace, where the Allen brothers first established their bayou settlement.

25. 25

    Stop 25

    Pass by

    End at the ornate former Cotton Exchange, a landmark of Houston’s early commercial boom.

26. 26

    Downtown Aquarium

    Pass by

    Pass the Downtown Aquarium, a waterfront entertainment complex created from two historic Houston buildings.

27. 27

    Stop 27

    Pass by

    See the historic Gulf Building at 712 Main, a landmark Art Deco skyscraper now known as the JPMorgan Chase Building.

28. 28

    Theater District

    Pass by

    Explore Houston’s Theater District, a lively downtown cluster of acclaimed performance venues and public spaces.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.